George Washington, the "Father of America" is known by many as a brilliant general, an honest man, and a great leader.  His life began in Virginia in 1732.  By the time George was 43, in 1775, he was finding that he was tiring quickly of the British controls and the excessive taxation that they would charge for items like sugar and tea.  When the "Shot heard 'round the world" was fired in Lexington and Concord in Massachusettes, the then Continental Congress chose Mr. Washington to be the Commander-in-Chief to the Army.  They chose him because of his successful and honorable experience as a military leader.

There were many battles that took place between 1775 and 1781.  Most of the early battles were won by the British, and the Continental Army did not win their first battle until 1776.  The now famous painting of "Washington crossing the Delaware" to fight off the Hessian solders fighting on the side of the British commemorates this noble fight and first hard-won battle.

Fortunate for the American freedom fighters the French joined in the battle.  When the additional troops showed their support for American freedom the battle turned in their favor.  After six years General Cornwallis surrendered. 

Washington was chosen as the first President, inagurated on April 30, 1789.  He ruled under the Articles of Confederation, a weak document that needed revision.  In 1789 the Constitution of the United States was completed and approved by eleven of the thirteen states then in existence.  Washington's job was to figure out what the President would be responsible for.  President Washington wanted to ensure that the people could choose for themselves and refused to be considered a king. 

During the eight years Washington was President he ensured that the country would defend the western borders against attack, and he also supported moving the capital to Washington DC.  He also spent most of his attention not on running the country he believed could run itself, but instead concentrated on Mount Vernon, his culmination of five ranches.  He possessed slaves at to work the wheat fields and to catch fish.  Between his 124 slaves and his wife, Martha's 153 slaves they had so many they were able to accommodate neighbors.  Washington added to his will that all his slaves were to be set free in the event of Martha's death.

As President, Washington choose to keep clear of infringement against those powers that the Constitution allowed the Congress.  He left the law-making to the people who were chosen by the Electoral College, allowing them to concentrate on their responsibilities.

Most notably President Washington spoke of lying low against conflicts that did not directly concern America, but instead voiced opinion based on fact and not on bias.  His farewell letter spoke of a warning of long-term alliances in foreign affairs.  To President Washington it was clear that the concentrated efforts of the American government should be the affairs of the American people.